Ripped off by a Ebay motors scam

[nicolel2405]

I have just paid $8000 for a car that I dont think exists. It was advertised on a few regular car selling sites and I expressed interest in a vehicle and I got what I now know is a typical story about someone being in the military etc. I already sent the money. What can I do about it please? Contact my bank as I made the payment by Visa? I am really panicked as the money only got sent last Thursday. Thanks

[papermoon.lady]

I am not on FB, so I cannot look at this page New and Used Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles For Sale - Facebook, but even if this scam should be more than obvious after more than a decade (the scam itself should be obvious + the whole blah blah blah story + the payment method they request), maybe FB should have some sort of warning? 

[daydreams_12]

As sandy says "why,why,why" would you even dream of putting that much money into a strangers account for a car you have no idea about.  This just blows my mind.  If you want a car, at least have someone check it out for you.  I am sorry but you have fallen for one of the oldest and most expensive tricks in the book.

[countessalmirena]

@boo-4394,

I won’t mention much about why you fell for this scam. You’re probably feeling sore enough, and I know why you were fooled, anyway.  I’ve posted about it several times on these boards.

What you need to do now is learn why you were able to be conned, understand that you’ll probably be targeted by more scammers now, and realise you need to take steps to protect yourself.

You are now on a hit list for scammers. You’ve not only lost a significant amount of money… you’ve also had some ID information stolen (that’s without question; it might be more than “some”). You’ve been noted as a gullible person in terms of being a good scam victim.

What will you do if you’re contacted by someone claiming to be the chief investigating officer tasked with tracking down the scammers and seeking to recover your money? (CLUE: high probability of its being either the same scammers who stole your money OR another group of scammers who paid for a list of potential scam victims who have been scammed previously.)

Please read this post by me on another thread on these boards: https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Motors/Is-this-a-scam/m-p/2446910#M1568

The post specifically addresses this particular type of scam.

Having warned you of heartless scammers who WILL almost certainly try to scam you further, I would also strongly recommend that you report this scam to the correct authorities. It’s not that I hold out much hope if your ever getting your money back.., but rather that unless Australian victims report these scams, a lot of important information will not be provided to those responsible for fraud detection and investigation into and prosecution of anyone responsible for these frauds. 

Report it to your bank. That’s urgent.

• Report it to your bank as a matter of urgency.
• Contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (ACCC) on 1300 302 502 
• Report a scam through Scam Watch 
• You can also report online fraud to the Australian Government via ReportCyber 

And READ THE POST to which I linked. If you do, you will have a lot more information on how to protect yourself.

[davewil1964]

I paid for my current car using bank deposit. I even had to temporarily increase my daily limit to do so.

Admittedly, it wasn't on eBay

[uliawhanas_83]

I've just purchased a vechile yesterday for $9000 and got a email from eBay motors stating the payment went into the wrong account late that afternoon. I know now its a scam, please help me, how will i get my money back?? 

[countessalmirena]

You probably cannot.

Report the scam immediately to your bank. IMMEDIATELY.

If it’s possible to get the funds back, you’ll be extraordinarily lucky.

Additionally, report it as a crime. Report to ReportCyber. (Select Individual.)

[daydreams_12]

Your first thing is to contact your bank and let them know.  I believe there may be a chance of money back if you paid by credit card.

If you read this and many other threads on the subject you will find you are not alone.

Why on earth did you not check everything out before sending your money.

I wish you luck but don't like your chances

[ratman0100]

How on earth do people get caught in these car scams!! Cant touch it. Dont buy it.

[padi*0409]

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@ratman0100 wrote:

How on earth do people get caught in these car scams!!

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Perhaps they're the ones that return scammers phone calls as well.

[ratman0100]

How would that happen by returning a call?